President Akufo-Addo commissions Traffic Management Centre in Accra
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned the Accra Traffic Management Centre under the Urban Transport Project, to ensure efficient vehicular traffic flow, mitigate road congestion and improve economic productivity of the capital.
The centre, known as the “Area-Wide Traffic Signal Control System (AWTSCS)”, was implemented by the Ministry of Roads and Highways through the Department of Urban Roads, with funding from the French Development Agency and Ghana government.
The project, first in Ghana and West Africa, was executed by Alumbrados Varios of Spain and Dakal Construction Works of Ghana, to improve traffic flow on urban roads and ensure efficiency at the various road intersections.
The first phase of the project was targeted at the coordination of traffic signals and 41 traffic lights were upgraded at intersections between Neoplan Assembly Plant at Achimota, Kwame Nkrumah Avenue and Kojo Thompson Road to the Central Business District of Accra.
At the inauguration ceremony in Accra, President Akufo-Addo urged the Ministry of Roads and Highways and its implementing agencies to ensure proper maintenance of the facility, in order to serve as a model centre of excellence.
The management of the centre would be undertaken jointly by the sector Ministry through the Department of Urban Roads with support from the Ghana Police Service and the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive.
He said AWTSCS aimed at improving the level of service at the various traffic intersections, ensured coordinated and synchronised traffic signal systems to reduce travel time, provided bus priority at some critical signalised intersections for high occupancy buses (Ayalolo buses) and identified and rectified fatal or critical problems at signalised intersections to facilitate traffic data gathering for planning purposes.
The second phase of the project is expected to start on August 15, this year, and completed in September 2020, with funding from the China Development Bank. It would involve 207 signalised intersections in the Greater Accra Region.
This, he said, would include; installation of new traffic controllers and installation of detectors to collect vital traffic data needed for the efficient flow of traffic in the national capital.
He said the commissioning of the facility was a major step towards addressing traffic congestion in Accra, noting that, free flow of vehicular traffic and safety on the roads are critical for the development of the nation and enhancing the key sectors of the national economy.
Mr Kwasi Amoako-Atta, the Minister of Roads and Highways, in an address, said the inauguration of the facility was a bold attempt by government, to address the congestion challenge in Accra.
He added that secret cameras would be fixed at the various traffic intersections to monitor recalcitrant motorists who would jump red lights and those arrested would be fined to serve as a deterrent to others.
Mr Amoako-Atta appealed to all road users to comply with the road traffic regulations and protect the heavy investment made in constructing the facility to ensure value for money and improve productivity.
Source: GNA